Tighter water use restrictions in Jefferson

JEFFERSON - Jefferson is banning virtually all outdoor water use - imposing Level 4 restrictions that are even tighter than the state-mandated requirements.

Public Works Director Jeff Killip says it's because the city's reservoir is "almost empty." Killip says by and large, the only outdoor water use that will be allowed beginning Monday is for personal food gardens and construction sites.

Killip says new landscaping can also be watered but the installers have to register with the city - identifying each jobsite that will be watered using city water.

TEXT OF LETTER FROM KILLIP POSTED ON JEFFERSON WEB SITE:

All Water Customers
City of Jefferson

RE: Level Four Water Use Restrictions (Modified)

Dear Water Customer:

The City of Jefferson water reservoir is ALMOST EMPTY.

In an effort to conserve our valuable resource, the Public Works Department has enacted the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources Level Four water use restrictions, WITH LOCAL MODIFICATIONS. The local modifications revoke some of the exemptions itemized under Section 391-3-30-.05, the banned use items are listed on the following page.

The only permitted outside use of water is for PERSONAL food gardens and construction sites. We request customers restrict water use to an absolute minimum.

This letter serves as your official notification of the water use restrictions. Violations occurring after receipt of the letter will result in the following penalties:

1. First offense - $500.00 fine
2. Second offense - $500.00 fine and services disconnected. Services will remain disconnected for a period of 24-hours minimum and will only be reconnected when ALL fines have been paid in full.

We strongly recommend you, our valued customer, check every plumbing fitting in your house or business for leaks and have them corrected immediately. Also, we recommend you observe as many water conservation practices as possible.

We also request you report any violators of these restrictions to City Hall at (706) 367 5121 or to the Public Works Department at (706) 367 1819.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding at this critical time and hope these restrictions will not be in place for too long.



Jeff Killip
Public Works Director


MODIFICATIONS TO THE LEVEL WATER USE RESTRICTIONS (AS CONTAINED IN THE POSTING):

1. Professionally certified or licensed landscapers, golf course contractors, and sports turf landscapers ARE PERMITTED to irrigate using City of Jefferson treated water for a limited period of time following installation of sod or landscaping, etc. as noted below;
2. Irrigation contractors will NOT be permitted to test irrigation systems following repair or maintenance. Irrigation systems MUST be turned off;
3. Professional sod producers, ornamental growers, fruit and vegetable growers, and retail garden centers are NOT permitted to irrigate using City treated water;
4. Hydro-seeding is NOT permitted;
5. Power washing is NOT permitted;
6. Car washes that do not recycle their water are NOT permitted to operate; and
7. Watering-in of herbicides and pesticides is NOT permitted.